or something; for instance ... (though there are other suitable options); ... or ...; as soon as; right after; while still
elder brother; one's senior; older man; man older than oneself
to make matters worse; besides; what's more; in addition; on top of that
shrewdly; smartly; calculatingly; astutely; cunningly
to take in; to bring in; to capture (e.g. image); to import; to win over; to please
straight-laced person; stubborn person
another person; other people; unrelated person (i.e. not related by blood); outsider; stranger
to bend; to flutter; to wave; to yield to; to be swayed by; to bow to
appearance (in the eyes of society); decency
opposite; reverse; contrary
looks (esp. of a woman); features; ability; capability; (public) estimation (esp. of a man); credit
to cross (legs or arms); to link (arms); to put together; to construct; to braid; to plait; to grapple
trade; business; occupation; profession; job
circumstances; conditions; situation; reasons; state of affairs
dot; spot; mark (in an exam, etc.); grade; point (in a game); score; point (in geometry)
blunder; miss; slip; oversight
tearfully; in tears; weeping; reluctantly; unwillingly; with a heavy heart
to feign ignorance; to pretend one doesn't know
meaningfully (smiling, grinning, etc.); suggestively; broadly; sneeringly
good customer; prime customer; valued clientele
chance encounter (worth treasuring); a connection made with another person by chance
siege; encirclement; envelopment; surrounding; besiegement
Eh?; What?; Come on!; Damn!
one's first campaign; one's first battle
fortress; stronghold; citadel
hurrying (to somewhere); rushing; hastening; express (train)
to be on the verge; to be on the brink; to get close
twilight; sunset; dusk; evening
urgent; requiring quick (response)
infantry; infantryman; foot soldier
rate; ratio; comparatively; contrary to expectations
... being the case; (precisely) because ...; as might be expected from ...
to shake; to jolt; to rock (cradle); to swing
isolation; being alone; being friendless
holding a castle (during a siege); holing up; confinement (to one's home); staying at home; staying indoors
castle construction; building a castle; fortification
house built on sand; house of cards